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"American boys are going to France. We must go with them!" The Salvation has long been tied to the United States military. Countless veterans have told stories of encoutering The Salvation Army on the battle front - usually through the ministry of our donut girls. Evangeline Booth, the national commander of The Salvation Army during World War I, was compelled to provide for the needs of American soldiers at home and those fighting overseas.

There were eight Salvation Army offices that opened the first year that we were active in the Carolinas in 1887. Raleigh, Wilmington, New Bern, Durham, Spartanbug, Goldsboro, Fayetteville, and Florence.

The Salvation Army's work in disaster relief began in 1900 in response to the devastating hurricane that destroyed Galveston, Texas and killed more than 5,000 people.
The devastation was so grand that the National Commander at the time, Frederick Booth-Tucker, ordered Salvation Army Officers from across the country to proceed to the disaster site to provide spiritual and practical assistance. Without the development of a canteen, the officers walked the streets giving people water and coffee.

The first Salvation Army band was formed in 1882 by accident. Charles Frye and his sons offered their services as bodyguards for Salvation Army street preachers. They began playing music on their brass instruments to help keep the rowdy even hostile crowds calm. Frye soon after quit their family business to lead the Army's music department.

The Salvation Army is often credited with popularizing the doughnut in the United States. During World War I and II, The Salvation Army served doughnuts - often cooked in battle helmets - to U.S. troops in the field; and many soldiers came back to the States hooked on the pastries.

William Booth, a Methodist minister, began a new ministry when he felt called by God to serve the destitute in London, England. It is said that East London at that time was over-crowded, very poor and the area was filled with crime and drunkenness. It wasn't uncommon for people to die of starvation.

Seven tornados tore through eastern North Carolina on April 25. One tornado that later received an EF3 designation, damaged or destroyed almost 200 homes, injured 16 people, and claimed the life of 11-month-old Gavin Soto. For many in the area, this was their first experience with the deadly natural disaster.